Diagnostic imaging probe

Abstract

An imaging probe for diagnosis includes an imaging core that has an optical transceiver and an ultrasound transceiver, a first fixing unit that fixes the optical transceiver, a second fixing unit that fixes the ultrasound transceiver, and a connection member that connects the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit to each other. The connection member has bending rigidity which is lower than that of the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging probe for diagnosis which comprises an imaging core that has an optical transceiver and an ultrasound transceiver, comprising:
 a first fixing unit that fixes the optical transceiver;   a second fixing unit that fixes the ultrasound transceiver; and   a connection member that connects the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit to each other,   wherein the connection member has bending rigidity which is lower than that of the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drive shaft that is connected to the second fixing unit.   
     
     
         3 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the connection member and the drive shaft are configured to serve as an independent member.   
     
     
         4 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit is a first housing, and the second fixing unit is a second housing which is different from the first housing.   
     
     
         5 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit is a first housing, and the second fixing unit is a second housing which is different from the first housing.   
     
     
         6 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit is a first housing, and the second fixing unit is a second housing which is different from the first housing.   
     
     
         7 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit and the connection member, and the connection member and the second fixing unit are connected to each other by means of any one of bonding, brazing, fusing, and welding.   
     
     
         8 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit and the connection member, and the connection member and the second fixing unit are connected to each other by means of any one of bonding, brazing, fusing, and welding.   
     
     
         9 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit and the connection member, and the connection member and the second fixing unit are connected to each other by means of any one of bonding, brazing, fusing, and welding.   
     
     
         10 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit and the connection member, and the connection member and the second fixing unit are connected to each other by means of any one of bonding, brazing, fusing, and welding.   
     
     
         11 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit and the connection member, and the connection member and the second fixing unit are connected to each other by means of any one of bonding, brazing, fusing, and welding.   
     
     
         12 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit and the connection member, and the connection member and the second fixing unit are connected to each other by means of any one of bonding, brazing, fusing, and welding.   
     
     
         13 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the connection member is configured to serve as a part of the drive shaft, and   wherein the second fixing unit is configured to be brazed to a window section disposed in the drive shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the first fixing unit is a housing disposed on a distal side of the imaging core.   
     
     
         15 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein an outer diameter of the first fixing unit disposed on the distal side of the imaging core is smaller than an outer diameter of the second fixing unit.   
     
     
         16 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein in the first fixing unit disposed on the distal side of the imaging core, an outer diameter on the distal side is equal to or smaller than an outer diameter on the connection member side.   
     
     
         17 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein an end portion of the first fixing unit has a hemispherical shape.   
     
     
         18 . The imaging probe for diagnosis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the connection member is an elastic member.